So this morning I felt like I should read from the book of Numbers. That is a bit unusual, as I tend to spend most of my time in the New Testament. However this morning I read an interesting section, which is very straight forward, and directly related to something I was praying about and thinking about recently. Here are the verses - Numbers 9:15-23 NIV:
[15] "On the day the tabernacle, the tent of the covenant law, was set up, the cloud covered it. From evening till morning the cloud above the tabernacle looked like fire. [16] That is how it continued to be; the cloud covered it, and at night it looked like fire. [17] Whenever the cloud lifted from above the tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped. [18] At the Lord's command the Israelites set out, and at his command they encamped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they remained in camp. [19] When the cloud remained over the tabernacle a long time, the Israelites obeyed the Lord's order and did not set out. [20] Sometimes the cloud was over the tabernacle only a few days; at the Lord's command they would encamp, and then at his command they would set out. [21] Sometimes the cloud stayed only from evening till morning, and when it lifted in the morning, they set out. Whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud lifted, they set out. [22] Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out. [23] At the Lord's command they encamped, and at the Lord's command they set out. They obeyed the Lord's order, in accordance with his command through Moses."
The main theme is very clear - follow the presence of the Lord! That was quite easy to do when you could see the cloud of His presence by looking out the front of your tent. However we live under a new covenant and different dispensation, where we bear in our bodies the Holy Spirit, the very presence of God. The theme for us remains the exact same, we need to learn to follow the presence of the Lord.
Another point that is easily gleaned from the text is that the Lord is Lord, and He does not follow an apparent pattern of behavior. Sometimes the cloud lifted during the morning, other times it was at night, sometimes it was after one day, other times it was after a week or even a year. The idea we need to learn to embrace is that the Lord directs us according to His purpose and plan, not according to our comfort or schedule. There is always purpose in the Lord's moving and direction and we must learn to trust Him and follow Him.
Personally this is something that I think we all need to grow in, especially in our busy, highly scheduled lives. I tend to be very task oriented, and when I am focused on a task, it takes a significant force to interrupt me. When I was young I used to read books quite regularly and my mom would talk to me while I was reading, and even though I answered, I never actually stopped reading and would never remember what she had told me. Needless to say, that was not a popular response with my mom. Since then, I have learned to be interruptible, and that has made my life easier. It is also something that I have been working on with the Lord, being interruptible in my daily work and schedule. When I feel His presence moving, directing me to do something, I am learning to respond immediately. It is not often some significant change of course, sometimes it is just a quick call tom someone who has been on my mind. Other times, it feels like the Lord is just checking if I am still listening, and paying attention to Him. Personally I think that is awesome, because that means He actually cares about what I am doing, and thinking. Regardless, I am convinced the Lord has a daily plan for me, and whether I follow and fulfill His plans, as much to do with my interruptibility.
That doesn't mean the Lord will always require me to change my course or be interrupted, to be able to fulfill His purpose. I know that everyday, part of His plan for me is to love my wife. Everything I do that cares for her and helps her, and expresses my love for her is in the Lord's will. I know that every day I am a dad, a husband, an employee of my present company, a co-worker, and a friend. Much of my interaction with these significant groups of people is within His overall purpose and plan, for He placed me here in these situations and circumstances. In Acts 17:26 it says that God has put us on the earth at a specific time and place (and that time and pace is here and now). There are those who are so focused on the grand and glorious calls, the future dreams and aspirations, they completely miss what the Lord could be doing through them in their present situation.
I have learned that the Lord has purpose and plan in everything, and if I am looking to Him constantly, I will see Him use me to encourage others, to bring hope and direction, counsel and guidance, and love and kindness to those around me. I am reminded throughout the day of people, and as the Lord brings them to mind I pray for them and ask the Lord to bless them, for we all need more of the Lord in our lives. I try to ask for guidance in even the simple things like which grocery store to visit, which way to drive into town, for I have seen that there are times where I am at the exactly right place at the right time. I like to say that God's middle name is coincidence, for He is always engaged in all our lives, and aware of our thoughts and actions. He knows where we all are, and what we are thinking. What could be more encouraging than to have someone walk up to you with an exact confirmation of what you were asking of Him?
Now, to be clear, I am a far cry from where I think the Lord would like me to be, but I am growing and learning constantly, and getting better. The Lord is pleased with my every effort and little step I make in the right direction. I am encouraged to keep working to follow Him in my daily life, to be a willing participant in His grand plan to interact with all of us.
So today, I am encouraged to pay close attention to the sense of His presence in my life, following closely when He directs me in a different direction, or interrupts my previously scheduled task. Lord, please help me to be sensitive and aware to your leading.
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